For all the talk about a revolutionary ‘Sarriball’, Chelsea just looked like a limp, soulless team of unmotivated players with no real plan for taking on Pep Guardiola’s side.

An ageing squad of players that aren’t up to the task clearly needs refreshing and a major rebuilding operation is required.

If Chelsea really believe that Sarri is the man to lead them, then they need to fully back him and break with their transfer policy of providing the manager with players to work with rather than the players he wants.

But if that confidence in Sarri isn’t there, then they would surely be better looking for a manager with a track record of developing young players. Chelsea keep on producing promising talent and then loaning them out or selling them. Perhaps the current mess is a chance to radically change direction?

EPIC BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM

A three-horse race at the top of the table promises thrills and plot twists all the way to the end of the season and the same can be said at the bottom.

FULHAM’S STRANGE WINDOW

So why, in the transfer window, did the next to bottom London club choose not to sign any defenders and instead to bring in a striker in Ryan Babel, a winger in Lazar Markovic and a midfielder in Havard Nordtveit who isn’t yet fit to play?